News Bytes
manufacturers by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): including
automotive standards for seating systems, seat belts, child restraints,
air bags, roof crush resistance, and flame-resistant interiors; as well as
motorcycle standards covering brakes, lights, rims and tires, controls
and displays, and glazing materials.
NEW JERSEY BANS MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS
On March 23, 2015 New Jersey Governor Christie signed into law a piece
of legislation (A-2316/S-1614) prohibiting law enforcement agencies
from conducting roadside checkpoints or systematic inspections that
focus only on motorcycles. It will not prevent any other type of road
block or checkpoint that is for a valid law enforcement purpose, but it
must include vehicles of all types, not just motorcycles-only. This law
goes into effect immediately.
ABATE of the Garden State, worked with the legislators from District 1 (Cape
May) and was successful in getting the bill introduced in February of 2014. In
February 2015 it passed both houses of the legislature with unanimous votes
from both chambers.
Many NJ motorcycle riders wrote, called and emailed their legislators
to ask for their support on this important legislation. “This new law will
prohibit the unlawful practice of profiling a whole class of motorists
simply because of their chosen, and legal mode of transportation”, says
Jim Parker, Legislative Coordinator for ABATE of the Garden State.
RED LIGHT LAW PASSED IN KENTUCKY
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed HB 370 on April 2nd that
allows a motorcycle to proceed through a red light if it fails to operate
after 2 minutes or 2 cycles of the light with no other oncoming traffic.
The Kentucky Motorcycle Association pushed for the legislation, which
it says is needed because the lower weight of motorcycles sometimes
means that traffic light sensors embedded in roads don’t detect them,
meaning lights do not change.
House Bill 370, sponsored by Rep. Johnny Bell (D-Glasgow) and Rep.
Wilson Stone (D-Scottsville) creates an affirmative defense against a traffic
violation for entering or crossing an intersection against a steady red light
for a person operating a motorcycle.
An affirmative defense is “a defense in which the defendant introduces
evidence, which, if found to be credible, will negate criminal or civil
liability, even if it is proven that the defendant committed the alleged
acts,” which in this case applies if a motorcycle is brought to a complete
stop, the traffic control signal shows a steady red light for two minutes
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or if the traffic control signal completes two lighting cycles and if the
traffic control signal appears to be malfunctioning or doesn’t detect
the arrival of a motorcycle. Another condition of the defense is that
no person or motor vehicle is approaching the intersection or that any
approaching person or motor vehicle is so far from the intersection that
it does not constitute an immediate hazard.
Jay Huber, president of the Kentucky Motorcycle Association, said the
longer motorcyclists remain at a light, the longer they are a target for
inattentive drivers. “It becomes an issue of safety,” he said.
BILL WOULD REQUIRE MOTORCYCLE LICENSE IN ALABAMA
Legislators in Alabama, the only State in the Union that doesn’t require
a motorcycle license or endorsement, are considering legislation to end
that distinction. An oversight in the 1990s led to a gap in the law
that allows anyone 16 and older with a regular driver’s license to also
operate a motorcycle in the state.
If enacted, the new law would require operators to pass a knowledge
test to obtain a Class M endorsement, and the bill also authorizes police
officers to write a ticket if you are riding a motorcycle without a license.
40 states require a skills test for a motorcycle license, according to
the National Conference of State Legislatures, but that’s not likely to
happen anytime soon in Alabama.
Political insiders indicate the bill is likely to reach Governor Bentley’s
desk, who is expected to sign it into law.
TEXAS BIKE BILL REQUIRES
3-FOOT CLEARANCE FROM DRIVERS
A new bill could mean new rules for Texas drivers. House Bill 2459
states that drivers would have to give pedestrians, bicyclists and
motorcyclists three feet when passing or turning. HB 2459 was heard
in the Texas House Transportation Committee for “unprotected road
users,” and if passed a violation would be a Class B Misdemeanor.
“At this point, I’m excited with three feet, anything is better than zero
feet. We’re just waiting to see whether or not Governor Greg Abbott
ratifies that bill,” cyclist Les Akins told Newschannel 6, adding that he
hopes HB 2459 will raise awareness.
QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest
thing we have.”
Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969), American pastor
May 2015
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 31